1984 Chevrolet Truck - Cannonball - Custom Classic Trucks

Growing up, there's always one phrase-well, it's really more like a mother's natural reaction-we always hear, "If so and so jumped off a bridge, does that mean you would?" And the funny thing is, before that clich even ends you're ready to make a quick and witty comeback that goes something along the lines of, "I dunno...maybe...it just depends on how high the bridge is and what's below!" It's a never-ending battle, and more times than not the story stays the same as we get older, but the chapters develop a little differently.

As Michael Hernandez got older, he noticed his friends were all building old cars and trucks, and he eventually realized he needed to get himself a project. Actually, he didn't need to get himself a project, he just needed to get started on the one he already had. Ten years ago Michael picked up this '84 Chevy. The truck was sitting with a for sale sign in an old man's yard right around the corner from his house, and as luck would have it Michael was in the market for some transportation. The work truck was bone-stock with a straight six, no power brakes, no power steering, basically no nothing, but it could get him from point A to point B. All that equated to SOLD! As the years passed, so did the Chevy's day-to-day driving, and that's when Michael saw the potential to turn the '84 into something totally rad.

When Michael began laying out some blueprints, his number one requirement was to do as much of it himself in his backyard as possible, no questions about it. The stuff beyond his automotive realm could be shopped out, but the core of the truck had to be Backyard Rigging, his "shop." With a plan of action and some friends, the build was on. The first thing to go was the exciting and vigorous inline-six. Building a new motor was one of the tasks that was beyond his limits and could be shopped out. Michael enlisted the help of Custom Performance and Engine in Woodlands, Texas, to build him a 454. He wasn't looking for anything off the Richter scale, but something that would sound mean and be able to get up and out of its own way was a must. Custom Performance and Engine built him a 454 up to Michael's specs using a Summit cam with a 540 lift, Edelbrock intake manifold and carburetor, MSD ignition, and more. On the engine, Michael runs a Flowmaster exhaust system to keep bystanders on their toes. He also brought the work truck into the modern age by installing power brakes.

5/8

In terms of suspension, the options seemed unlimited, but in Michael's vision there was only one answer. He wanted the truck to sit on the ground at all times, even if it scraped from time to time. In the front Backyard Rigging installed DJM 3-inch drop spindles with 2-inch drop springs. In the back the truck was tubbed, C-notched, and brought down to the ground. In the front Budnik Tri Tech 15x7-inch wheels with Pirelli 205/60/15 rubber were installed. In the rear Budnik Tri Tech 15x15-inch rims with Mickey Thompson 33x19.5x15 meat were stuffed into the tubbed wheelwells.

For the trucks's exterior, Michael wanted to keep things all Chevy, besides the paint. The marker lights, door handles, and a lot of trim were left on the '84; however, he did shave the emblems, side mirrors, and bed stakes, and the gas cap was moved inside the bed. Then Pats Auto Body in Houston, Texas, laid down the two-tone PPG Black and House Of Kolor Silver Orion paint job. After that, Maxwell Designs in Spring, Texas, worked up the retro-lookin' Chevy trim using an assortment of colors and faux chrome trim. The bed was then covered in black Line-X to finish the exterior off. Up front, the stock grille was swapped for a '90 Suburban grille.

The last farmed-out job was at Medina's Auto Trim in Houston, who stitched up the gray tweed seats and more. When that was done, Michael took the truck home and installed power windows and door locks. He also unleashed a heap of billet interior pieces along the '84's door panels and dash. Along with that, Auto Meter gauges were installed, and an NRC billet steering wheel found a home as well. We're pretty sure it's a good thing Michael took that plunge off the bridge with his buddies!